Hifiman Ananda

[Alex May]

What is the associated gear on the front end of your Ananda? My listening experience is much different from yours.

SMSL SU-9 + Singxer SA-1 and THX 789 for double proof. Also Cavalli Tube Hybrid with 6N23P Reflector (1969), but I haven't used it for this test. Actually, it doesn't matter because I compared the two sets of earpads and their influence on the sound for my ears, not the headphones themselves or the amplification chain. If the difference between the earpads is identified, it doesn't matter what kind of amp there was. Because the gear didn't change. And even if this gear was crappy, it wouldn't change or improve the delta of the earpads, if you know what I mean. This delta will always be constant, regardless of the amplification chain. At least for my personal head-and-ears configuration. Of course, any other person might have their own experience. But even apart from the sound, what would you say about this, are these normal, comfortable and long-lasting earpads? Is that how they should be?

 

[pataburd]

Can you send those Dekoni back for a replacement pair? or for a refund? They look as poorly constructed as the HFM stock pads.

 

[firesign]

SMSL SU-9 + Singxer SA-1 and THX 789 for double proof. Also Cavalli Tube Hybrid with 6N23P Reflector (1969), but I haven't used it for this test. Actually, it doesn't matter because I compared the two sets of earpads and their influence on the sound for my ears, not the headphones themselves or the amplification chain. If the difference between the earpads is identified, it doesn't matter what kind of amp there was. Because the gear didn't change. And even if this gear was crappy, it wouldn't change or improve the delta of the earpads, if you know what I mean. This delta will always be constant, regardless of the amplification chain. At least for my personal head-and-ears configuration. Of course, any other person might have their own experience. But even apart from the sound, what would you say about this, are these normal, comfortable and long-lasting earpads? Is that how they should be?

What?!

And they want to charge me almost €100 for that...

 

[Alex May]

Can you send those Dekoni back for a replacement pair? or for a refund? They look as poorly constructed as the HFM stock pads.

Yep! Already got a return authorisation. Sending them back tomorrow for a refund... From now on I'm totally fine with the stock pads

 

[pataburd]

Am enjoying the Ananda v.2 with Dekoni Elite fenestrateds(!) and that liquidity/coherence they bring to the mix.
Brand new Serentity pads are still in the shipping box.
(See underlined items in my signature.)

 

[micah323]

Hey guys just got my ananda from a fellow forum members. Couple first impressions and questions

I see a lot of people taking about the clamping force is strong. The clamping pressure is almost not there on mine. Just wondered if that is normal. This is my first decent headphones and feel really loose

I also bought a bifrost2 and lyr3 but haven’t had a chance to hook up yet. First initial listening impressions (blind buy) of the ananda was pretty good. Using iPhone with Amazon hd streaming sounded nice.

Started with dark side of the moon and it was enjoyable. A few classical songs, specifically versions with piano was more impressive such as pachobel canon in d.

Have yet to test with rock, classic rock, rap and old school metal which I listen to more

I am hoping the amp and dac stack add a lot to the experience. So far it’s nice but I am really looking to be blown away by the listening experience. May need to up the budget

 

[the1andonly]

Hey guys just got my ananda from a fellow forum members. Couple first impressions and questions

I see a lot of people taking about the clamping force is strong. The clamping pressure is almost not there on mine. Just wondered if that is normal. This is my first decent headphones and feel really loose

I also bought a bifrost2 and lyr3 but haven’t had a chance to hook up yet. First initial listening impressions (blind buy) of the ananda was pretty good. Using iPhone with Amazon hd streaming sounded nice.

Started with dark side of the moon and it was enjoyable. A few classical songs, specifically versions with piano was more impressive such as pachobel canon in d.

Have yet to test with rock, classic rock, rap and old school metal which I listen to more

I am hoping the amp and dac stack add a lot to the experience. So far it’s nice but I am really looking to be blown away by the listening experience. May need to up the budget

get DEKoni FENestrated

 

[micah323]

get DEKoni FENestrated

Is that for fitting issues or to sound better?

 

[pataburd]

The Bifrost2 and Lyr3 should breathe new life into the Ananda, too.

 

[the1andonly]

Is that for fitting issues or to sound better?

sound but it did help spread out the pressure, the DEKFEN pads have more surface area that touches face and also actually compress some

 

[Alex May]

sound but it did help spread out the pressure, the DEKFEN pads have more surface area that touches face and also actually compress some

Mate, @micah323 has just told you that there is no clamp force for him (her?) in these headphones. There will be no comfort improvement in Dekoni Fenestrated in this particular situation. Overall, the feeling of the Dekoni's leather is worse than velour. And considering the absence of compression on @micah323 's head due to the absence of clamp force, the Dekoni Fenestrated will be just as hard to touch on the head as the stock pads. And the Dekoni Hybrids will be no different from the stock at all, other than setting back $100 for nothing. In terms of sound, let them read my posts on this and the previous page so they can judge for themselves in terms of quality control issues, sound, resolution and comfort. Since @micah323 's head is apparently the same size as mine, there is a good chance our experience might be the same. Of course, our ears will be different, therefore the sound might not suffer like in my case but who knows.

Edit: I've just received a refund for my Dekoni Fenestrated btw.

 

[the1andonly]

Mate, @micah323 has just told you that there is no clamp force for him (her?) in these headphones. There will be no comfort improvement in Dekoni Fenestrated in this particular situation. Overall, the feeling of the Dekoni's leather is worse than velour. And considering the absence of compression on @micah323 's head due to the absence of clamp force, the Dekoni Fenestrated will be just as hard to touch on the head as the stock pads. And the Dekoni Hybrids will be no different from the stock at all, other than setting back $100 for nothing. In terms of sound, let them read my posts on this and the previous page so they can judge for themselves in terms of quality control issues, sound, resolution and comfort. Since @micah323 's head is apparently the same size as mine, there is a good chance our experience might be the same. Of course, our ears will be different, therefore the sound might not suffer like in my case but who knows.

Edit: I've just received a refund for my Dekoni Fenestrated btw.

Last time I check surface area increased the ability of two objects to stay attached and tires on a car keep on the road because they have some compression and are not rigid....

Everything else you said is completely subjective, if he wants to trust his experience will be the same as yours because now you are choosing to come out of the woodwork to demand you are right and everyone else is wrong that is up to him. I certainty didn't do that, nor have I stopped you from telling others your thoughts and pointed them to post my own experiences I also post here explicitly while saying "let them read my posts on this and the previous page so they can judge for themselves" to somehow get them to listen to my experience over yours.

I promise you, you care more about this than I do, I gave a simple suggestion and used objective details that literally anyone who knows how a tire on a car can understand.

Do whatever you want but please don't call me "Mate" when I was very polite toward your opinion and you decide to come at me head on to say I am completely wrong and don't know what I am talking about.

At this point I couldn't care less what that person does if I have to deal with counter-posts like this nor am I interested in what you have to say, if you reply to me again I won't see it. There is literally nothing in it for me, I don't sell Dekoni pads, I am not a Dekoni AD, I am not going to fist bump the air when someone says they bought the Dekoni pads, and now, being talked to like this, there is less than nothing in it for me. I am out/unwatching this thread, feel free to trash talk Dekoni Fenestrated pads to your hearts content.

 

[-Darkstar-]

Hey guys just got my ananda from a fellow forum members. Couple first impressions and questions

I see a lot of people taking about the clamping force is strong. The clamping pressure is almost not there on mine. Just wondered if that is normal. This is my first decent headphones and feel really loose

I also bought a bifrost2 and lyr3 but haven’t had a chance to hook up yet. First initial listening impressions (blind buy) of the ananda was pretty good. Using iPhone with Amazon hd streaming sounded nice.

Started with dark side of the moon and it was enjoyable. A few classical songs, specifically versions with piano was more impressive such as pachobel canon in d.

Have yet to test with rock, classic rock, rap and old school metal which I listen to more

I am hoping the amp and dac stack add a lot to the experience. So far it’s nice but I am really looking to be blown away by the listening experience. May need to up the budget

My xDuoo TA-30 improved the dynamics, your Lyr3 should do the same.

 

[HTSkywalker]

Hey guys just got my ananda from a fellow forum members. Couple first impressions and questions

I see a lot of people taking about the clamping force is strong. The clamping pressure is almost not there on mine. Just wondered if that is normal. This is my first decent headphones and feel really loose

I also bought a bifrost2 and lyr3 but haven’t had a chance to hook up yet. First initial listening impressions (blind buy) of the ananda was pretty good. Using iPhone with Amazon hd streaming sounded nice.

Started with dark side of the moon and it was enjoyable. A few classical songs, specifically versions with piano was more impressive such as pachobel canon in d.

Have yet to test with rock, classic rock, rap and old school metal which I listen to more

I am hoping the amp and dac stack add a lot to the experience. So far it’s nice but I am really looking to be blown away by the listening experience. May need to up the budget

Clamping force should be moderate depending on your head, make sure to start from zero headband extension on both sides. Pressure would vary from there accordingly.

 

[yeboyi]

Hey guys just got my ananda from a fellow forum members. Couple first impressions and questions

I see a lot of people taking about the clamping force is strong. The clamping pressure is almost not there on mine. Just wondered if that is normal. This is my first decent headphones and feel really loose

I also bought a bifrost2 and lyr3 but haven’t had a chance to hook up yet. First initial listening impressions (blind buy) of the ananda was pretty good. Using iPhone with Amazon hd streaming sounded nice.

Started with dark side of the moon and it was enjoyable. A few classical songs, specifically versions with piano was more impressive such as pachobel canon in d.

Have yet to test with rock, classic rock, rap and old school metal which I listen to more

I am hoping the amp and dac stack add a lot to the experience. So far it’s nice but I am really looking to be blown away by the listening experience. May need to up the budget

Clamping force heavily depend on headband adjustment.